Marion County Aquaholics Paddlers Group, Inc.

 

 

Paddle Often, Paddle Safely  

Making a Stripper Kayaks 

The Story of the Woodworking Stripper

 

It began several years ago when the custom woodworker, Jerry joined the Marion County Aquaholics. Paddling along gorgeous Florida rivers and streams, the woodworker developed an idea to build his own kayak.  

 

After many hours of research the kayak model (18’ Guillemot) was chosen. How exciting it was on the day the plans arrived.   How sad it was to see them collecting dust in the corner for the next year or so.

 

Low & behold, there was another woodworker named Wayne, also a member of the Aquaholics who had been wanting to build a kayak too ! He had also decided on that very same model !

 

While Jerry’s plans continued to collect dust, Wayne was off and running ! He built the framework and using his photography skills, captured an 8x10 just for Jerry !

 

Well, look out ! Everybody out of Jerry’s way !   He was NOT about to let Wayne get ahead of him ! It was time to begin ! He got the plans out and began building his 18’ strip kayak.   It’s become an obsession. He works on the kayak day and night.    

Jerry's Boat

Bottom of the Boat is made first
Notice the Frame or Skelton it is built around (blue lines are ribs)
Jerry has finished the triangle trim on 1 side ... total of 214 little custom cut triangles !

As of 03/21/2011

As of 04/07/11 @ 2:27pm

according to Carol's message that they were taken just 5 minutes ago.

As you can see, Jerry has gotten all of the side design of little triangles completed and is working his way across the top.  He is placing a "stripe" that curves across the boat from bow to aft that is about 5" wide, and within it he is adding a different wood - camphor.  So on the bottom you have Mahogney (dark) and cypress (light)  then spalted maple on the top, ooh, and the dark triangles are black walnut. 

Wayne's Boat

START OF THE STRONGBACK AND STATIONS
START OF THE STRONGBACK AND STATIONS
THE DARK WOOD IS MOHOGANY THE LIGHT WOOD IS BASSWOOD
EACH STATION IS TAPED TO PREVENT THE GLUE FROM STICKING
THE FIRST STRIP IS GLUED ON WITH HOT MELT GLUE
NO STAPLES WILL BE USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION
THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO DATE 3/21/11, I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE I SHOWED JERRY THE PICTURE OF THE STRONGBACK TOO SOON NOW I AM AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEHIND HIM
BUILDING PROCESS: SANDING A STRIP AT A BEVEL TO SPLICE TWO SHORTER ONES TO GET THE LENGTH I NEED
FINISHED BEVEL
ONE DOWN ABOUT TO JOIN SECOND STRIP
GLUED AND PRESSED TOGETHER

As of 03/21/2011

Bottom Completed
As of 04/03/2011